My taco eats headlight bulbs..

Seriously, I burn a bulb out every 3-4 months. I've replaced so many on my 2010 taco it's ridiculous. I get replacements at the various auto box stores; I've tried the $20 ones, then the dudes talked me into the $40 ones saying they would last longer. No dice, the $40 don't last a day longer.

It's both sides too, so if it's a wiring/electrical thing it effects both.

What gives? Anyone else??

 

I'm no expert, but I've read here that some Japanese makes, us included, run a higher-than-expected voltage to the headlights, causing some premium bulbs from non-OEM sources to burn out quickly. This was mentioned in threads about Sylvania premium bulbs. OEM replacements from a dealership might be a fix to try...

 

weird. ive been running the same headlights since 2011 and never had one burn out...

 

I'll give that a shot, thanks.

 

My 2013 still has original bulbs.

 

there may be a way to use an electrical tester to see if your system is putting out more juice than a normal system does. that would at least get you started on the path to a solution.

 

Are you changing both at the same time or just the one that burned out? You might try changing them both at the same time.

 

Are you careful to not touch the glass when installing? Maybe wear gloves.
Do you replace both headlights at once? (As you are supposed to)
Have you tried name brand 'long life' bulbs?
Do you start your truck with the headlights on? (Not a good practice for bulb life)
Do you always drive with your headlights on?

 

First check running voltage at the sockets. Are you using OE wattage replacements?

 

I had a similar problem with my 2002. I was always burning out taillights and especially headlights. I took it in to Toyota several times and they tested it and told me nothing was wrong. It got so bad that I decided to dump the truck and bought a 2016. But, just before I sold it I took it to a guy who was supposedly good with electrical and he fixed the problem. It turned out that I had a short in one of the rear taillight housings. He replaced both sides and the problem was solved. My neighbor bought the truck from me and its been over a year since the sale. No headlights or taillights have burned out. You might want to find someone good with electrical systems to check it out for you. I'd stay away from Toyota service though. The last time they charged me over 250.00 so their expert could check it out. I asked if I could speak with him before the service and after. I didn't get to talk to him at all. I just got a note on my seat that everything checked out

 

Yes, do not touch the bulb glass with your bare hands.

 

Do you have a small crack in your headlight? I had a subaru that would burn through bulbs on one side. Couldnt figure it out until I noticed some moisture in there after a really bad rain storm I was driving through. Got a new headlight and the problem went away.

 

Touching the bulb with bare hands was my first thought too

 

stock 2013 bulbs with 50k miles on the clock here. OP is doing something wrong.


Also.... i start my truck with headlights on (and my main street motorcycle) and never have an issue.

 

A catch-all reply:

I should note that my original bulbs lasted reasonably long, 2 years or so if I remember correctly. I do drive/start with my headlights on all the time. I'm sure that doesn't help, but I commute along a highway with countless entrances & people pull out and wreck nearly every day. I'm willing to burn a few for safety. Don't flame, this is what I do and will continue to do.

I have been replacing with Sylvania replacements, using part numbers matching a '10 taco. Many bulbs ago I was instructed never to touch the bulb itself, so I'm OK there. I also always clean up the rubber cover and put some electric grease on the plug to keep water out. I've been buying the cheapest bulbs available ($20 each or so) until last Dec or so, when I talked to the autozone dude about this. He recommended the higher $$ versions ($40), said they should last longer. At that time I replaced them both. One lasted until a month ago, and I replaced with another high $$ one. Then the other crapped out last week.

So I bought 2 replacements from the Toyota dealer this weekend, and put them both in. FYI these are like $35 each. We'll see; if they burn out quickly I'll report back.

 

A final add, the bulbs from Toyota are noticeably dimmer than the high dollar sylvanias. Oh well...

 

This same exact thing has been happening to me for the last year! I've bought 3 or 4 2-packs of the sylvania silverstars over the past year. The first time I replaced them, they lasted 1-2 years but I've had this same issue with my 07 this past year. The only thing that looks bad is the factory bulb connector, it looks like it needs to be replaced so I got some off Amazon recently but haven't had time to replace them.

 

I, too start mine with the headlights on pretty regularly and run them all day, so I don't think that's attributing to the problem. as a refresher, my headlights had 5 years, and 95,000 miles on them.

 

I was thinking maybe it's the salt air here in Wilmington NC, but you just blew that theory!